Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-06

at cost only to the owner. ana IN manner ssus-
contractors. 10 n believed that the system 10
beneficial and should be retained for work of this
chsractef.
KSrESsroS or srRrrTs AND ROADS
During the past year senate resolution datsd
Ausust+, 1850 called upon the Commissioners %
submit project Tor the extension OF the sirs-rts
and avenues OF the CITY over the area lying north
ward from Boundary % Spring rad and between
Rock Greek and Lincoln avenue
The Commissioners submitted a prul-c', copy
q which accompanies this report, and map was
prepared showing the principal features
No nnal action was had az the last SESSION PRIOR
10 aolonrnment and in Consequence the property
saderably embarrassed by the uncertainty as 20
what would eventually be the disposition
This uncertainty Affects values ana tends TO
discourage the Improvement OF the rrcaon and iy
Is nsedfal that The matter be nnally devsrminec.
10 extend Massachusetts, avenue from itss pr,s nj
western terminus at Boundary 10 proposed cruss-
ing at Rock Creek, and secepted the dedica ion OF
the route over the portions named ana thence
westward AZ far the renleytown road ror the nun
1ss scs sne " rue sns city VIZ i eel
was widely miNepresented, q full statement with
regard thereto was prepared aud submitted to tie
copy whereof f. appended 20 this report.
Numerous dedications OF streets have nessp made
the valuable public easements thus secareS saS Va
involved any cost 10 the District
In the area lying between lincoln avenue and
lie Droit Park. between Boundary and the spldlers'
Home, nearly all the streets which upon cunsapr-
alton were found desirable, have been desilcated
The opening OF North Capitol street has been "a.
CURED for IT'S entire length with the exception q
Upon the petition OF a large majority o. the
nefghborfng owners the Commissioners TOOK steps
70 widen the Columoia road an important outlet
q rev owners prevented this the court holding
that, while the Commissioners had the pewer 81
peared that the District was guaranteed against
In order 20 meet this objection OF the court an
estimate has been made for a moderate sum ia
similar purposes although In every cese OF TINS
character the Commissioners have made the CON-
dition precedent 20 their actien that Il should
clearly appear that no payments would be need
full
Another proposition which has been submitted
20 the Comlniss oners ID the eastward EXTENSION of
Pennsylvania avenue beyond the Eastern Branch
The passage OF an appropriation Cor the COLI
line suggested the des,rs6iiity OF extending this
important thoroughfxre 70 connect with tue
Bowen road near the District line, and surveys
have been made 20 that end and estimates sub
mitted for beginning the construction after ded-
ication Of the ground shall have been made by the
owners
Under the appropriations made for the construc-
ton and extension OF county roads the Tenley-
town and Bladensburg roads have been completed
the Eastern Branch.
These roads were built IN the approved methods
which have been followed by the Engineer De-
partment VIZ: A solid hearting q uiscsdam ON
IL 70 10 feet wide and foot IN thickness, bord-
On ro 0SIn 9oS os sn'er Of
IL seems desirable hereafter, In estimating for
the construction OF these and similar thorough
fares that In addition 10 the road surface ana the
cutters for drainage. foot-ways and br1dle paths
should also be provided. This can be done at
Az me insfsnce ~ the conoro,sSsooers ,ha a..
appropriation act made valuable distinction
between the construction OF new suburban high
ways and the maintenance and repair OF existing
ones. Il Is evident that the appropriation fof
keeping the present roads IN good order should
no. Dc crippled 6y charging new constrgellons
individually provided for as In the case Of othu
improvements
MAINTENANCE or COUNTY ROADS
The considerable and increasing extent &C
these highways annually Involves greater
expense upon the District for their proper
maintenance, and u Is with the utmost
din1culty that the limited sums nov avail
able for this purpose can be stretched Go keep
COMMUNICATION from farming r~gIons beyond and
Of points within the Jurisdiction OF the District
bot they are sources OF great public enjoyment
and benefit both for riding, driving and walking.
Heretofore the repairs have been made by means
OF working parties taking the several roads sue
between one opportunity and ths succe ding one
for the repair OF q road, prevent It's mainSenance
IN that condition OF efficiency that it should have
past year, therefore, a system q supervision has
been partially put In operation which has been
ton OF men over certain lengths Of ryad whose
business tt 10 70 keep the sections IN th/ir charge
In rood order At az times the cornplese establish
pense At the outset but In the end II win ultimate
" De found both economical and satisfactory.
SUBDIVISION on PROPERTY.
The absance OF due regulation By law a this
La
and public interests, and has proved Q great
source of embarrassment in the practical admin
istration OF affairs. In the region lying exterior
10 the former city limits the single wholesome
provision relative 20 subdivisions Is that while the
propety-owners mag lay out loes alleys streets
and avenues as they choose the Commission
ers need not accept the highways as public n
Thts gives but little control OF the subject ana
ofiicial delineation OF the main routes at least
with, and prevent multiplication Of minor subdi-
visions without Individual Conference or CONFORM
within The city IL appears that the right OF the
property owner TO subdivide his property IN any
manner that he may choose Is absolute and fnsl,
OF the District 10 record The proposed subdlyisoa
Independently OF any control by the constituted
authorities, or OF other conditon THAN thst me
former plat. BY this means smsl II lots and narrow
alleys have been multiplied TO great extent. par
tice. unless checked VIII ultimately result In con-
ditions extremely disadvantage0us 20 the public.
IL is suggested that an enactm nc similar IN gen
eral to the bill introduced al the last s
sion Of Congress- and upon which nnal action VS.
not had, would be advantageous
In this connection the attention OF Congress- u
invited the relations OF the surveyor 10 the Dis
trict. The present surveyor Is man OF fntell-
gence and fidelity, who has discharged his duties
acceptaby for a number OF years He Is not, now.
ever q saiarfed oficer OF the Government nut II
paid by fees for work performed, which are ex-
acted alike from private owners ana from the Dis
trict I'm case OF need. The once Is insumciently
equipped for the rapidly enlarging amount OF work
20 be done, and the records OF the once are NOS
under satisfactory control OF the District autho1-
ties
It Is recommended that change be made In thS
reRa;d and that Congress declare the records,
plata maps notes and other data OF the surveyors
once as public records and constitute the sur
veyor himself salaried officer, making provision
for suitable assistants and the maintenance OF the
service upon like terms and conditions with other
departments OF the District government
TYPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY or rlIR DISTRICT.
This survey has been In progress for several
years with limited appropriations, and Is grade
ally extending 80 that at the same rate about
three or four years longer VIII be required 70 cover
the area embraced within the District boundaries
The work a. IL proceeded was carefully exc
cuted and plated by the Officers q the Coast sur
vey and the resulting maps are Invaluable for the
determination OF lines Of communication ana ex-
tension OF streets and roads With this survey
completed and mapped much delay and expenss